Cover photo by NYRA/Adam Coglianese.

In Spa Selections, Saratoga correspondent Joseph Aiello provides Saratoga picks for a handful of key races at Saratoga, including all of the exciting stakes action!

Follow along all meet with all the exciting action (and good betting opportunities)!

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 3: Evan Shipman Handicap

1. #4 Maker’s Candy (3-1) – Hasn’t been sharp since January, but got a muddy track last time and didn’t take to turf two back, so improves getting back to good conditions

2. #3 Bank Frenzy (7-2) – Has some ability to come from mid pack here, but is best going to the early lead with a chance to go gate to wire with the right pace

3. #6 Whittington Park (9-2) – A bit sharper at this distance than Donegal Surges, but may need some pace to run at if he wants a chance to finish strong

4. #5 Donegal Surges (9-5) – May be geared more towards shorter distance, but keeps Irad Ortiz here and can be a threat with a ground saving trip

RACE 7: Bolton Landing Stakes

1. #6 Lady Orient (7-2) – This filly closed impressively in her debut at Ellis Park and should be a threat here with a little pace in the class step up

2. #4 Viggiedal (9-2) – After a tough Schuylerville, this filly tries turf and looks to be aggressive from the jump with plenty of natural speed for Asmussen

3. #8 Abientot (4-1) – Casse and Davis have been having a great meet together, and team up with this filly who won last time out over this turf course

4. #2 Mighty Eriu (5-2) – Brendan Walsh trainee has yet to win overseas, but comes here after back to back grade II tries and improves on the class drop

RACE 8: MC 30000

1. #6 Berning Beauty (5-2) – First time gelding for Clement switches back to dirt which he prefers and drops into claiming company with a race two back that compares well

2. #2 Neptune Beach (6-1) – Another first time gelding didn’t take to turf in his last two tries, now hopefully getting a dry track to run over and a chance to close in the money

3. #1 Albedo (8-1) – This underwhelming group may allow this late finisher a chance to clunk into the money late, unless Lezcano is aggressive in the distance stretch out

4. #7 Tiz the Prince (4-1) – Barron’s Bounce doesn’t seem to want to go this far, so take this grey colt who tries dirt for the first time in an effort to improve

RACE 9: Clm 14000n3L

1. #7 Playingwithmatches (8-1) – Lezcano rides for Rice and will need a dry track to have winning chances, but can be a threat if he stays close to the lead

2. #4 Magia Nera (4-1) – Maybe not his preferred distance, but should improve after a tough outing last time and has some good races at this level recently

3. #11 South Street (10-1) – Might not be a winner with this post, but Rosario should have this gelding by Quality Road moving late with a solid record in the money

4. #8 Super Chief (7-2) – A tad inconsistent, but can be in the mix with a repeat of his try two back at Santa Anita and hopes for a dry track like Playingwithmatches

RACE 10: Alw 95000n1x

1. #2 Enfuega (4-1) – Goes back to dirt after a tough effort on turf, and should be a top contender with a repeat of her two dirt sprint tries in her career

2. #8 Foxy Cara (4-1) – Needs to come from off the pace here, but does tend to finish well even if she isn’t winning and has a good chance to hit the board

3. #1 Newsdley (6-1) – Good record in the money at this distance and is familiar with this class, but has been fading in most of her stretch runs

4. #6 A Maize Zing Dotie (7-2) – This Finger Lakes shipper has at least been more consistent than most in this bunch, winning her last three and should be on the lead

RACE 11: Clm 32000

1. #4 Street Ready (5-1) – Hasn’t won in over two years, but was primarily racing against far classier bunches, and gets a second straight crack at claimers here

2. #10 Bourbon Day (5-2) – Has been bet to favorite frequently, recently finishing second as the favorite in a race that a few others in this field ran behind him in

3. #8 American Diamond (8-1) – Improved a bit when dropping into claiming company, now dropping further down and has speed figures which compare well with the rest

4. #5 Ever Dangerous (8-1) – Hasn’t raced in a year, but has a few races that put her amongst the top grouping here if he can return to form

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